Hello all, new to the site. Just purchased a 2011 Ram Dakota with a 3.7l V6. Owner's manual says 5w-20@ 8K intervals or 6 mos. My first question is, should I change the oil/filter now as it has been in the truck for more than 6 mos. Second, any recommendations on the oil? I plan on going the full 8k/6 mos OCI. 80% interstate driving in Northern VA. Thanks in advance for any and all help
Recommendations/help, Please!
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Go ahead and change it out now and go with a good synthetic like Mobil 1 and a good filter like Mobil 1 or Bosch Distance Plus. Use a 5w20 or even a 0w20 and you will be good. Mobil 1 AFE is a good oil.
Hey 4X4, Thanks for the reply. What will give the best fuel economy? Also, what does "AFE" stand for? Thanks.
Just looked up "AFE". You'll have to excuse me, I'm an oil idiot.
I would change it this week or next. Mobil 1 is on sale at AAP right now w a Bosch Distance Plus filter (one of the best filters), AZ Mobil goes on sale Tuesday with a Mobil EP filter if you prefer those. Also PP is a great buy (AAP) or you can get MotorCraft at walmart which is an outstanding 5w20 and is well tested in the ford trucks.
The reason I would stay away from 0w20: I have nothing against it at all, I plan on using it in my Civic but your powerful engine gets hot and 0w20's generally have a higher NOACK Volatility (basically evaporates more than most syn 5w20's. It doesn't get cold enough to warrant it where you live either. PP, Valvoline, M1 or Motorcraft would be my choices.
Your engine should have a long happy life on any of those oils. Same brands in conventional are good too.
Nice truck!!
BTW "AFE" will not give you any significant improvement in MPG's. USE 5W20.
The reason I would stay away from 0w20: I have nothing against it at all, I plan on using it in my Civic but your powerful engine gets hot and 0w20's generally have a higher NOACK Volatility (basically evaporates more than most syn 5w20's. It doesn't get cold enough to warrant it where you live either. PP, Valvoline, M1 or Motorcraft would be my choices.
Your engine should have a long happy life on any of those oils. Same brands in conventional are good too.
Nice truck!!
BTW "AFE" will not give you any significant improvement in MPG's. USE 5W20.
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Chubbs- Thanks! I just got the truck as my trusty 97 Saab met an untimely death in the flash flooding we had in Northern VA last week (with me in it!!). Not the easiest way to get a truck, but it worked out. So the PP or M1 you would consider "equivalent"? The engine is 210 HP, do you consider that "powerful" for an engine? I'm just trying to do the best for the truck as I plan to drive it until it blows up. 200K plus!
You speak the truth ole wise one. Obviously you know the pain. My commute is during "normal" hours, however, the NOVA "commute" is a 24 hour ordeal as "rush hour" usually never ends. Any recommendations?
There is no need to change oil just because it was sitting on a lot for six months.
The reason for the "or X months" interval is if you use something every day for short trip driving and don't rack up the miles. Then you get byproducts of cold engine combustion.
The reason for the "or X months" interval is if you use something every day for short trip driving and don't rack up the miles. Then you get byproducts of cold engine combustion.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
There is no need to change oil just because it was sitting on a lot for six months.
The reason for the "or X months" interval is if you use something every day for short trip driving and don't rack up the miles. Then you get byproducts of cold engine combustion.
You don't know how many times it was started and lot moved or test drove in the last 6 months. The oil should be changed to give a new starting point for OCI's. Filter doesn't have to be changed, but at least the oil should.
There is no need to change oil just because it was sitting on a lot for six months.
The reason for the "or X months" interval is if you use something every day for short trip driving and don't rack up the miles. Then you get byproducts of cold engine combustion.
You don't know how many times it was started and lot moved or test drove in the last 6 months. The oil should be changed to give a new starting point for OCI's. Filter doesn't have to be changed, but at least the oil should.
I wouldn't use 5W-20 unless the engine had that cylinder deactivation system. Just my opinion.
Why wouldn't you use 5w-20? That is the OEM recommendation. What would you use and why? The engine doesn't have the deactivation system.
Originally Posted By: checkairspeed
Why wouldn't you use 5w-20? That is the OEM recommendation. What would you use and why? The engine doesn't have the deactivation system.
I can understand you being confused, but 5W-20 is recommended by manufacturers mainly to get
their average fuel mileage up; not so much for long term engine protection. The fuel mileage is
increased because the thin oil is easier for the oil pump to move; putting less drag on the engine.
Why wouldn't you use 5w-20? That is the OEM recommendation. What would you use and why? The engine doesn't have the deactivation system.
I can understand you being confused, but 5W-20 is recommended by manufacturers mainly to get
their average fuel mileage up; not so much for long term engine protection. The fuel mileage is
increased because the thin oil is easier for the oil pump to move; putting less drag on the engine.
Ok I understand now. So what would you recommend?
Originally Posted By: checkairspeed
Ok I understand now. So what would you recommend?
I would run 10w30 in it if it were my truck. 5w30 would be fine too, but it's my
way of thinking (from reading the UOA section) that 10w30 is more durable.
Ok I understand now. So what would you recommend?
I would run 10w30 in it if it were my truck. 5w30 would be fine too, but it's my
way of thinking (from reading the UOA section) that 10w30 is more durable.
So if I use a different oil than OEM recommended, would it void my warranty or cause any other issues?
Originally Posted By: checkairspeed
So if I use a different oil than OEM recommended, would it void my warranty or cause any other issues?
I highly doubt it will cause any problems because 10w30 is still a very thin oil; just not water thin like 5W-20 is.
So if I use a different oil than OEM recommended, would it void my warranty or cause any other issues?
I highly doubt it will cause any problems because 10w30 is still a very thin oil; just not water thin like 5W-20 is.
So how many miles are on the oil?
This changes things considerably.
This changes things considerably.
The truck is new. Appx 350 miles on the odo
I'm waiting for somebody to pop in here and say 10w30 is horribly
wrong for the engine and that it will cause catastrophic damage...
wrong for the engine and that it will cause catastrophic damage...
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